Raybearer - Jordan Ifueko Page 0,139

unsung stories.

But The Lady spoke one more time, her voice quiet as a sowanhada wind, and as wonderstruck as a little girl, gazing from her only window at the vast savannah sky.

“Tarisai,” she said, “Tarisai Idajo.”

CAST OF CHARACTERS AND THEIR HOME REALMS

Tarisai (TAR-ree-sigh), Swana

Sanjeet (Sahn-JEET), Dhyrma

Ekundayo (EH-kuhn-DYE-oh), Oluwan

Kirah (KEE-rah), Blessid Valley

Mbali (Mm-BAH-lee), Swana

Thaddace (THAD-us), Mewe

The Lady, Unknown

Olugbade (Oh-loo-BAWD-day), Oluwan

Theo (THEE-oh), Sparti

Emeronya (EHM-er-OH-nyuh), Biraslov

Ai Ling (Eye-leeng), Moreyao

Mayazatyl (MYE-ah-ZAH-tuhl), Quetzala

Thérèse (Tay-RES), Nontes

Kameron (KAM-ruhn), Mewe

Zathulu (Zah-THOO-loo), Djbanti

Umansa (Oo-MAHN-sah), Nyamba

Woo In (OO-een), Songland

Melu (MEH-loo), Swana

Hye Sun (HEH-sun), Songland

Min Ja (MEEN-jah), Songland

Nawusi (Nah-WOO-zee), Nyamba

Aiyetoro (EYE-yeh-TOH-roh), Oluwan

GLOSSARY

abiku (ah-BEEK-oo): Spirits of death that inhabit the Underworld.

abiku blood: A potent poison that can spread through earth, leeching life from everything it touches.

agbada (ahg-BAH-tah): A sweeping, floor-length men’s garment with long, loose sleeves and cloth that drapes generously over each shoulder.

alagbato (ah-lahg-BAH-toh): A guardian spirit, or fairy, of a natural resource, such as a forest, river, savannah, or larger region.

An-Ileyoba (Ahn-Ee-lay-OH-ba): The palace at the heart of Oluwan City, the capital of Oluwan.

Biraslov (BEE-rah-slahv): A snowy realm in the far northern regions of the Arit empire, predominantly occupied by People of the Wing. Home realm of Emeronya, a member of Dayo’s council.

Blessid Valley (Bleh-SEED VAL-ee): A desert realm of nomads in the Arit empire, located south of the center Arit realms. Blessid Valley occupants are predominantly People of the Wing and are known for herding, pottery, and strong familial clans. Home realm of Kirah, a member of Dayo’s council.

Bushland: Supernatural stretches of land created by Enoba the Perfect when he united the Arit continent. Also called “the Bush.” Bushlands play a role in regulating the climate of the Arit continent and are often inhabited by spirits.

Bush-spirit: An often-malicious spirit that inhabits the Bush.

chin chin (cheen-cheen): Sweet, bite-size pieces of fried dough.

Core: The ultimate resting place of all souls, a paradise located in a supernatural dimension at the center of the earth.

Dhyrma (DER-mah): A realm in the eastern reaches of the Arit empire, known for gemstones and luxury goods and predominantly occupied by People of the Ember. Home realm of Sanjeet, a member of Dayo’s council.

Djbanti (Jih-BAHN-tee): One of four realms in the center of the Arit empire. Known for a culture of hunting and scholarship, and home realm to Zathulu, a member of Dayo’s council.

Egungun’s (Eh-GOON-GOON-z) Parade: The purgatorial march in which all souls participate before entering the permanent afterlife of Core.

ehru (EH-roo): An enslaved spirit.

emi-ehran (EH-mee-EH-rahn): A spirit-beast of the Underworld, typically sent to comfort lost or dying souls.

fufu (foo-foo): A food made of cassava flour and water, cooked to a consistency similar to mashed potatoes.

gele (GEH-lay): A headdress made of elaborately folded bright starched cloth.

Ileyoba (Ee-lay-OH-ba): The central district of Oluwan City, in which the palace, as well as the luxury villas of the nobility, are located.

iyaloye (EE-yah-LOY-ay): An Arit crown princess.

matemba (maht-EHM-bah) fish: A type of dried fish, often used in stew.

Mewe (Myoo): A northern realm in the Arit empire, known for its sheep herders, wool exports, and craggy green landscape. Home realm of Kameron, a member of Dayo’s council.

moi moi (MOY-moy): Steamed bean pudding.

Moreyao (Mor-ree-yow): A northeastern realm in the Arit empire, known for elaborate silk textiles and prosperous rice paddy farms. Home realm of Ai Ling, a member of Dayo’s council.

Nontes (Nawnt): A northwestern realm in the Arit empire, known for its lace textiles, rose gardens, and gray weather. Home realm of Thérèse, a member of Dayo’s council.

Nyamba (Nee-AHM-bah): One of four realms in the center of the Arit empire. Known for its experts in divination and artisanal weaving, and home realm to Umansa, a member of Dayo’s council.

oba (OH-BAH): An Arit emperor.

obabirin (OH-bah-BEE-reen): An Arit empress.

oloye (oh-LOY-eh): An Arit crown prince.

Oluwan (OH-loo-awn): The capital of the Arit empire and one of four central realms. The largest hub of trade, research, and cultural preservation and known for its orange groves and coastal fortresses. Home to the wealthiest Arit noble families and seat of the emperor.

Oruku (Oh-ROO-koo) Breach: The last known entrance to the Underworld, located in the Ebujo Temple in the realm of Oluwan.

Quetzala: A southern realm in the Arit empire known for its rainforests and highly advanced architecture. Predominantly inhabited by People of the Well and is the home realm of Mayazatyl, a member of Dayo’s council.

Redemptor: A person born with maps on their skin, compelled by the Redemptor Treaty to enter the Underworld as a sacrifice to prevent attacks from the abiku.

Songland: A peninsula nation hedged by enchanted mountains that protect the realm from intruders. The only realm on the continent independent